ECS Archbishop Marona laid to rest in Juba

September 26, 2009 (JUBA) – The retired Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS), the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Marona Biringi, died in Khartoum on Friday, September 18 and was laid to rest on the following Friday at All Saints’ Cathedral in Juba town.

Late Archbishop Joseph Marona Biringi

The late archbishop died at the house of his son, Hon. Justin Joseph Marona, the Chairman of Economics Committee in the National Assembly at Kalakala, South of Khartoum on Friday at around 10:00 PM.

Rev. Dr. Marona was a Baka by tribe from Munga Can in Maridi County of Western Equatoria State. He was born in Maridi in 1941. In 1981 he was ordained deacon and in 1982 ordained priest. On Apri, 22, 1984 he was consecrated the bishop and became the first diocesan bishop of Maridi under the Diocese of Yambio.

In the year 2000, he was elected the Third ECS Archbishop and Anglican Primate in the Sudan. He retired on December 31, 2007 due to a health problem, after serving eight years as Sudan’s Anglican Primate.

On Wednesday, September 23, religious leaders, faithful and politicians gathered at the All Saints Anglican Cathedral in Khartoum to mourn and pay their tribute to the departed Archbishop.

The body of the late Anglican Primate was flown to Juba early morning of Thursday September 24, 2009, by a small plane chartered by the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).

His body was received at Juba International Airport by the GoSS President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, GoSS Vice President, Dr. Riek Macher Teny, the incumbent ECS Archbishop, the Most Rev. Dr. Daniel Deng Bul, ECS bishops from all over the Sudan, GoSS officials, religious leaders and diplomats.

Accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Central Equatoria State, Mr. Manasseh Lomule and Ms. Grace Datiro, WES’ Minister for Social Development and Gender representing the GoSS—the body of the late Archbishop Marona was then connected from Juba airport and flown to his hometown of Maridi in Western Equatoria State for his relatives and members of his church to pay their final tribute to him.

The body was returned to Juba the same day and was buried yesterday at the All Saints’ Anglican Cathedral in Juba in a grand funeral attended by all the bishops of the ECS from all over the Sudan, religious leaders from different Churches, members of the different Christian denominations in Juba, GoSS officials, and big number of Christians from all Churches in Juba.

The Archbishop’s body was laid to rest following warm speeches from church leaders, politicians and family members.

Among the dignitaries were the Speaker of South Sudan Legislative Assembly, Hon. James Wani Igga representing the GoSS, the Deputy Speaker of the Council of States, Hon. Remi Oler Itorong representing the Government of National Unity, Representative of the Archdiocese of Canterbury, Rev. Canon Ian Wornwood, Representative of the Christian Missionary Society (CMS), Rev. Canon Andrew Willa paid their tribute and bate farewell to the departing Archbishop.

While addressing the faithful who gathered during the burial at All Saints Cathedral, the Deputy Speaker of the Council of State Remi Oler Itorong called for “courage and endurance” during such a difficult moment.

The Speaker of Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, Hon. James Wani Igga said the late Archbishop Marona contributed “morally” to the success of the liberation struggle by the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA).

“He was the one who encouraged us leaders of the movement so that the citizens and Christians could withstand the challenges posed by bush life. We were proud of him (Archbishop Marona) because he also led the church in an exemplary way,” Hon. Igga stated.

The son of the late clergyman, Hon. Justin Marona and the Chairman of Economics Committee in the National Assembly quoted one of his father’s last words saying: “ ‘If you Southerners are not united in love in Jesus, it is difficult for you to achieve your destiny’ — praise the Lord. This is Dr. Joseph Marona.”

(ST)

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Kind regards,

The Sudan Tribune editorial team.

29 September 2009 07:48, by Kur

May Almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace. You saw the coming of peace to your people and you will be remembered for the role you played in bringing peace to South Sudan.

Rt Rev. Marona, you will rest at the right hand of our saviour Jesus Christ.
You will be in our hearts ever time we remember you.
God gives and takes and thus your death is God’s work.
He knows why He take you before we could achieve our independent.

God gives and God takes, may his soul rest in peace. My sincere condolences go to all family members of departed Archbishop Marona, friends and the whole people of Northern and Southern Sudan. Your Love for the people of South Sudan is well recorded in the history. We really missed you. As no one is perfect in this world of temptations, I pray that may God pardon our Rev. Archbishop’s vulnerable sins and rest his soul in internal life, Amen!

May your soul rest in peace. I can still feel the touch of your palm on my head and the hand shake we made in Maridi’s Cathedral in 1995. You have contributed alot to the struggle of this country and we will miss your present among us. RIP

May the Lord Almighty God takes the soul of the Rt.Rev Lordship Dr.Joseph Marona, and put it beside Abraham, the father of the believers.His christian work had inspired many Sudanese to believe in Christ.He used to reassure southern sudanese during the liberation to stay firm and remain united every time so that they could achieve their struggle ojectives.I hope your son, Hon.Justin Joseph Marona will follow your footsteps.May God condoles his family and the entire christian family.

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